by Tseliso Monaheng

Zubz turns 40 today. The Zam-born, Zim-based, SA-residing Golden Mic Holder* is one of the greatest emcees of our time. Have a look at the cuts below, straight off of his Soundcloud.

Handiende

Much as Zubz had been around wrecking shit, this was his breakout song, the one which received high rotation on national and trans-national radio -- Maseru ate this song up! -- and established Zubz as a voice worthy of attention. Shout-out to Mukuru Tuku for making the original.

My distress

One for Tar-Tar. Or Madiba. Or Father of the Rainbow Nation. Look, beyond the fraying facade of an internationally-revered figured, appropriated by global power structures and used to further their cynical quest of recourse without reparation, there exists layers to uTata Rolihlahla Mandela. "My distress", as a contemporary take on socio-political issues of the larger-than-life figure's past, attests to Zubz's capacity to investigate the before. The mundane. The man, not the myth, that is Nelson Mandela.

Appreciated all the well wishes. You've helped colour not just my birthday but a huge part of my first 40 years. Here's to the next 40!

— Zubz (@zubzlastletta) July 24, 2016

A Different Life

Look, this song. The beat. Pebbles. The story. Gaaahd, why so good Zubz?!

Heavy 8

None of the emcees featured on this song knew it was going to end up as a posse cut. If you were into rap music circa '04, you KNOW that this was the real deal mayne!

"Liberatum"

A lot rested on execution, with this song. With M.anifest on deck, Madina's very own own strengthened the appeal of this pan-African wet dream-turned-sapiosexual orgy. The song provides hours of stimulation, and can go on for a few rounds without irritating the listener.

Trivia: M.anifest is the only emcee we know of to have done a song with the unfuckwithable trio of Tumi, Zubz and Proverb. Ill, right?! We know...

Refer to "The Legend of the Golden Mic" for context